Architecture Analysis Report

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
FACULTY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT

STUDENT NAME & ID: NENG LI SHENG (20WVD06169)
PROGRAMME: DIPLOMA IN ARCHITECTURE 1 (DAR1)
SEMESTER YEAR: 2020/2021 SEM3
COURSE: ATBR2313 HISTORY OF WESTERN ARCHITECTURE
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS REPORT

TABLE CONTENT

1. ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCTION
2. INTRODUCTION OF BUILDING 1
3. INTRODUCTION OF BUILDING 2
4. COMPARISON

i. BUILDING MATERIALS
ii. SPACE PLANNING
iii. AMBIENCE
iv. SCALE
v. PROPORTIONS
vi. STRUCTURES
5. CONCLUSION
6. REFERENCES

ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCTION

Assignment 1a: Building Façade study
This assignment extracts the building techniques and material usage of historical buildings
through sketches. It is an integrated assignment with ATBR1106 Architectural Design Studio
and it requires students to recognize and identify significant architectural ideas from historical
buildings for architectural design.

Assignment 1b: Architecture Analysis Report
This assignment is to do a simple comparative analysis of selected case studies buildings. It
requires students to critically examine and differentiate significant architectural ideas from
historical buildings for architectural design.

INTRODUCTION OF BUILDING 1

NAME: Baths of Diocletian Source:
LOCATION: Rome, Italy <https://www.inexhibit.com/
BUILDER: Maximian wp-content/webp-
YEAR BUILT: 298 - 306AD express/webp-
images/uploads/2017/05/Ter
me-di-Diocleziano-Rome-
Diocletian-Baths-exterior-
1.jpg.webp>

The baths of Diocletian were in ancient Rome, which is what we called Italy nowaday. This
building is a public bath and it is named after emperor Diocletian and it was built from 298 -
306AD, they are the largest imperial baths. Maximian began commissioning this building project
when he returned to Rome when 298AD, after he and Diocletian were abdicated, it was continued
under leadership by Constantius, father of Constantine.

Baths of Diocletian built in the early 4th century AD covers 13 hectares and is
also reputed to be the largest thermal complex in the Roman Empire that can
accommodate 3,000 people. It together with the typical thermal chamber, which
included a frigidarium, a caldarium, a tepidarium (a large semi-circular theater which is
now the Piazza dell’ Esedra), a library, a gymnasium, gardens, and a 37,600 square foot
swimming pool.

There are some significant architectural elements from the Baths of Diocletian.
For example, Giacomo Lauro’s engraving provides a complete view of the entire baths
from above at a steep angle. Besides, The massive walls and arches that still stand in
235AD are a testament to the grandeur of the complex while incorporating all the
classic elements one would expect. Besides, the caldarium has large glass windows to
allow the sun’s heat to reach them. The walls of the complex are lined with 6,300 cubic
meters of marble and granite and the ceilings are decorated with glass mosaics that
reflect the light from the pools in an iridescent effect. Moreover, there are still many
rooms there that retain their original marble mosaic floors and larger pieces have
survived from the upper floors with depictions of fish scales and mythical scenes of sea
creatures.

Here is some architectural drawing about Baths of Diocletian, such as plan view,
elevation views, and section view.

Plan Elevations

Section 3D View

Source:
<http://himetop.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/baths-of-
diocletian/baths%20of%20diocletian%2012%20%282%29.JPG/medium.jpg>
<http://himetop.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/baths-of-
diocletian/baths%20of%20diocletian%2013%20%288%29.JPG/medium.jpg>

INTRODUCTION OF BUILDING 2 Source:
<https://www.carcosa.com.m
NAME: Carcosa Seri Negara y/wp-
LOCATION: Jalan Kebun Bunga, Tasik Perdana, content/uploads/2019/08/carc
osa01.jpg>
50480, Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
ARCHITECT: A.B. Hubback

(Arthur Benison Hubback)
YEAR BUILT: 1897

This building is named as Carcosa Seri Negara, it is located in the centre of the capital,
Kuala Lumpur. It's important in the history of the country and the role it brought in our struggle
for independence. This building is placed inside Perdana Botanical Gardens and comprises two
colonial mansions which are carcosa and seri negara, there covering an area of over 12.14
hectares. This building was built by Sir Frank Swettenham, the first resident of the Malay
Federation, as his residences for visiting dignitaries in 1897. It is a very ornate and luxurious
resident governor because of the 8 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and cost the equivalent of almost
16 million Ringgit Malaysia today. Since 2017, it has been used as a museum. The original style
of the house has been largely conserved and it is surrounded by nature.

During the Second World War, it was used as a Malayan base camp in Malaya, during
which time a number of nameless graves were scattered around there. After the Second World
War in 1987, Carcosa became the residence of the British High Commission, the Malaysian
government has taken ownership of the building. After independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman used
Seri Negara as an official guest palace.

The colors chosen in terms of paint colors are warm. Warm colors are prevalent in the
English Tudor interior, with a few more blues and greens to create a balance of cooler tones,
while deep reds, yellows, and oranges are almost prevented somewhere else. This building also
installed various windows to ensure that the interior was adequately lit, such as sunshade blinds
to control the light entering the interior space and a row of three or more casement windows
framed by wood in the Tudor Revival Style. Also, pointed arches were used as decorative or
window forms to create good views and light.

There are some architectural drawings about Carcosa Seri Negara.

Plan
3D View

Source:
<https://www.carcosa.com.my/wp-
content/uploads/2019/08/3031924932_37272363b
3_z.jpg>
<https://s3media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-
content/uploads/2020/08/carcosa-lifestyle-
carcosa-pic-300820-1-1.jpg>

COMPARISON 1: BUILDING MATERIALS

Baths of Diocletian Carcosa Seri Negara

• The Diocletian baths are mainly made of The interior of the Carcosa is mostly made of

brick, but the stucco on the outer surface wood because of the influence of the Tudor

gives the impression of stonework. style on the interior decorative elements.

• The surface is made of white stucco Ceiling beams, door and window casings,

• The white stucco imitates the structure of corners and staircases are often dark and

white marble blocks, giving the impression heavy, made of hardwood and waxed.

of white marble. All wooden constructions in the hall area are

painted in a cream colour, with thick paint

covering the carvings and resulting in a dark

colour on the surface as well.

COMPARISON 2: SPACE PLANNING

Baths of Diocletian Carcosa Seri Negara

• Architects prioritise techniques that expand the sense of • The building uses an " opening between planes ".
grandeur of space. • It is a vertical opening that extends from floor to ceiling in a

• The flow between indoor and outdoor open spaces is quite spatial plane that visually separates.
important for the logistics of the bathing experience. • The spaces of the carcosa are divided into private area, semi

• The baths have the same symmetry throughout the layout, private area or public area.
which is grand and ambitious in scale. • private area is an opening that lies within the enclosing

• A look at the floor plan of the baths reveals an area of 90 plane of the space and does not diminish the space.
square metres divided into six main compartments. • semi private area is an opening at the edge of the

enclosing plane, which visually weakens the corner

boundaries of the volume.
• public area as an opening between the enclosing planes

of the space, visually isolating the planes and

expressing their character.

COMPARISON 3: AMBIENCE

Baths of Diocletian Carcosa Seri Negara

• The Renaissance architectural style makes • The Tudor Revival style is homely and

extensive use of classical antique features rustic, bringing a warm, simple but little

such as columns and the orderly sophisticated ambience.

arrangement of pilasters, thus giving an

ambience of grandeur.

COMPARISON 4: SCALE

Baths of Diocletian Carcosa Seri Negara

• The total area of the Baths of • Covering an area of over 12.14
Diocletian is 13 hectares. hectares.

• The central hall of the baths measures
280 x 160 metres.

COMPARISON 5: PROPORTIONS

Baths of Diocletian Carcosa Seri Negara

The floor plan from the baths of diocletian The facades of Carcosa have symmetry and
shows that the positions in the building are balance.
symmetrical from left to right.

COMPARISON 6: STRUCTURE

Baths of Diocletian Carcosa Seri Negara

• The interior of this building is supported by the Roof
curved vaulted ceiling and arches that form the • King post trusses - A link that acts as a centrepiece
curve.
to support the beams and prevent them from sagging
• The structure of the roof is an indication of classical under the load of the ceiling.
design, with the architect covering the curved arches
of the vaulted hall (the outer surface of the arches) Ceiling
with a sloping form. • Plaster ceilings - improves interior design and fire

resistant, it does not burn or increase the spread of
fire.

Flooring
• Brick flooring - has a high resistance to extreme

weather and provides a timeless and beautiful classic

look.
• Carpeted flooring - provides a warm and

comfortable environment and reduces noise leakage.

DIAGRAM OF STRUCTURE FOR CARCOSA SERI NEGARA

ROOF CEILING FLOORING

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, although the two buildings were built at different times, they also adequately
express the architectural techniques and structures of the period in terms of finished buildings.

The Baths of Diocletian is one of the most glamorous monuments in Rome, a monument unique
in the world for its size and outstanding state of conservation. In the ancient Roman world, this
building is the largest, and was built in just eight years on the flat area between the Viminal and
Quirinal hills. Today the building is used as a museum for people from all over the world to visit,
hoping that people will protect the cultural heritage that is still preserved today and not try to
destroy it.

Carcosa Seri Negara has been important in the Malaysian independence movement for over 100
years. Registered as a National Heritage building, it is an important national asset that is often
disregarded by the people. It is recommended that the government should enhance its protection
and preservation in order to revive its splendour.

REFERENCES

Blogspot, 2010, Diocletian Baths, Anahid Simitian, viewed 9 March 2021, <http://bathsofdiocletian.blogspot.com/2009/11/studying-baths-
of-diocletian.html>

FMT Lifestyle, 2020, Carcosa Seri Negara: A historical & national treasure left to die, Noel Wong, viewed 12 March 2021,
<https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2020/08/29/carcosa-seri-negara-an-historical-and-national-treasure-left-to-die/>

Omeka, 2021, Piranesi in Rome, Omeka, viewed 9 March 2021, <http://omeka.wellesley.edu/piranesi-rome/exhibits/show/baths-of-
diocletian/construction>

Semantics Scholar, 2020, Assessment of the Historic Interior of Carcosa Heritage Building, Siti Norlizaiha Harun, viewed 16 March 2021,
<https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/186a/4b13bb1375a0de887937d3552881964a2fff.pdf>

The Courtauld, 2019, Hieronymus Cock’s Baths of Emperor Diocletian (1558) and the Diascopic Architectural Print, Michael J. Waters,
viewed 7 March 2021, <https://courtauld.ac.uk/research/courtauld-books-online/continuouspage/michaeljwaters>

Wikidot, 2015, Baths of Diocletian, Chiara De Liso & Martina Ciancio, viewed 10 March 2021, <http://himetop.wikidot.com/baths-of-
diocletian>
Wikipedia, 2020, Carcosa Seri Negara, Wikipedia, viewed 12 March 2021, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcosa_Seri_Negara>
World History Encyclopedia, 2014, Diocletian, Donald L. Wasson, viewed 7 March 2021, <https://www.ancient.eu/Diocletian/>